A Chadwell Heath mother charged with killing her eight-year-old daughter appeared today in court.

Mother Polly Chowdhury, 34, and friend Kiki Muddar, 41, were charged on August 29 last year with the murder of Ayesha Ali who was found with a head injury in her home in Bedwell Court, Chadwell Heath.

Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.

They were due to enter pleas but this has been rescheduled as psychiatric assessments of the pair are yet to be completed.

Their plea hearing has been rearranged for February 21 at the Old Bailey.

Muddar, of Green Lane, Ilford, and Chowdhury, of Broomfield Road, have been charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of a child.